At a time when global crises threaten to harden hearts and fracture communities, Pope Leo XIV is urging the Church to rediscover its missionary calling by embracing communion, universality, and urgency. Speaking to the General Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies at the Vatican, the Pope offered heartfelt praise for their work, drawing deeply from his own missionary experience in Peru.
“Christ is our Saviour and in Him we are one, a family of God, beyond the rich variety of our languages, cultures and experiences,” Pope Leo said, echoing the words of St. Augustine that have shaped both his episcopal and papal ministry: In Illo uno unum—in the One, we are one.
The Holy Father emphasized that the Church today, like the Church after Pentecost, must journey forward “with trust, joy and courage” to proclaim Jesus Christ as the only true source of salvation. This, he said, is the central mission of the Pontifical Mission Societies, which he called the “primary means of awakening missionary responsibility among all the baptized and supporting ecclesial communities in areas where the Church is young” (Pope Leo XIV, address to the Pontifical Mission Societies, May 2025).
Drawing from his years of pastoral ministry in Latin America, Pope Leo commended the Societies’ efforts to promote evangelization globally, especially through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Society of the Holy Childhood, the Society of Saint Peter the Apostle, and the Missionary Union. These groups, he noted, offer vital support for catechetical programs, vocations, child protection, and formation of clergy and religious.
Pope Leo called for increased grassroots engagement, encouraging National Directors to “give priority to visiting dioceses, parishes and communities” to stir missionary zeal at the local level. He also highlighted the importance of World Mission Sunday, observed annually on the second-to-last Sunday in October, as “of immense help to me in my solicitude for the Churches in areas under the care of the Dicastery for Evangelization.”
Why now? Because, the Pope warned, “Our world, wounded by war, violence and injustice needs to hear the Gospel message of God’s love and to experience the reconciling power of Christ’s grace.” The call to evangelize is not just for missionaries abroad—it is a universal vocation for every baptized person.
“We are to bring to all peoples, indeed to all creatures, the Gospel promise of true and lasting peace,” he insisted, quoting Pope Francis’ words that Jesus “has overcome the world and its constant conflict ‘by making peace through the blood of His Cross.’”
The Holy Father concluded with a profound reminder: “The appreciation of our communion as members of the Body of Christ naturally opens us to the universal dimension of the Church’s mission of evangelization,” and challenges each of us to “be missionaries of hope among all peoples.”
In this Holy Year, Pope Leo XIV has made it clear that renewal in the Church begins with our willingness to bring Christ to others—because in Him, we are not strangers, but one family.
It’s truly inspiring to see Pope Leo XIV emphasizing the Church’s missionary calling in such tumultuous times. His focus on communion and universality feels like a much-needed reminder of what the Church stands for. The mention of his own experiences in Peru adds a personal touch, making his message even more relatable. I wonder, though, how this call to action will resonate with younger generations who might feel disconnected from traditional missionary work. The emphasis on World Mission Sunday is great, but are there other ways to engage people beyond just one day a year? Also, how can the Church ensure that its missionary efforts don’t come across as imposing but rather as genuinely inviting and inclusive? Would love to hear your thoughts on how we can foster a more grassroots, community-driven approach to evangelization. What’s your take on this?